January 8, 2009 Campaign launched to boost blood collection Play video

(NECN: Latoyia Edwards, Lexington, Mass.) - Teenagers may soon help rescue Massachusetts hospitals from a blood supply shortage.

Giving blood is sometimes uncomfortable for Mark Chanofsky, but Mark loves to help people. So, when he learned Massachusetts law prevented him from donating blood as a 16-year-old, Mark decided to change the law.

16-year-olds in the state can now donate blood with parental consent -- thanks to Mark initiative.

As soon as they were legally eligible, Mark Chanoff's classmates at Lexington High School immediately volunteered to replenish the region's blood supply.

Massachusetts lawmakers were so impressed with Chanoff's new blood donation law that several showed up at his blood drive.

17-year-olds in Massachusetts have been allowed to donate blood without parental consent for a decade, and now that Chanoff has increased the pool of teenage donors, it was fitting that he be the first 16-year-old in the state legally allowed to give blood.

All students who donated blood also received a coupon for a pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee as part of January's "Give a Pint, Get a Pound" program.

You can join NECN and the Red Cross for the annual "Celebrate the Gift of Life Blood Drive" on Thursday, January 29. For more information, go to: www.redcross.org